2 Bangladeshis killed in Houthi attack on Riyadh airport

Two Bangladeshis have been killed and four others are receiving treatment, following an attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam told media on Sunday.

"We have already lost 14 Bangladeshis in this war. We do not want any more of our remittance warriors to die," Shama said.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh strongly and unequivocally condemned yesterday's attack. Bangladesh extended its deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved families, including the families of the Bangladeshi victims, and prays for the swift and full recovery of all those injured.

"Attacks endangering civilian lives and targeting civilian infrastructure are unacceptable and must cease immediately," said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement.

Bangladesh reiterated its firm solidarity with the government and the brotherly people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the face of this attack.

“Bangladesh called for an immediate cessation of hostilities, the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure, and a peaceful resolution of the ongoing crisis through dialogue and diplomacy, in the interest of regional peace, security and stability,” the statement reads.

The Saudi-led coalition blamed Houthi rebels in neighbouring Yemen for the attack, calling the strike a "fully-fledged war crime" and vowing a firm response. The fatalities also included four Saudi citizens, a Palestinian, a US citizen, an Egyptian, a Jordanian, a Syrian and a Sudanese national.

"Attacks endangering civilian lives and targeting civilian infrastructure are unacceptable and must cease immediately," said the statement.

Bangladesh has already lost 14 nationals in ongoing Middle East conflicts, the state minister said, expressing concern over further casualties among Bangladeshi migrant workers, who contribute significantly to the country's remittance earnings.

“The Bangladesh mission in Riyadh is in contact with the Saudi authorities to ascertain details of the deceased and injured Bangladeshis and to facilitate necessary assistance to those affected,” she added.
The government will bear the costs of bringing the bodies of the deceased Bangladeshis back home, she added.

The attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh killed at least 12 people and injured 309, prompting a complete suspension of operations at Saudi Arabia's main aviation hub.